Radionuclides from Nature to Nature: Recent Progress in Immobilization of High Level Nuclear Wastes in SYNROC

Abstract

The production of nuclear energy, the development of nuclear energy, and the development of nuclear weapons inevitably produce radioactive waste among which the existing high-level radioactive waste is one of the most difficult to deal with. With the implementation of "actively developing nuclear power" strategy in China, the safe and effective disposal of radioactive waste has become a key issue in addressing the sustainable development of nuclear power. SYNROC solidification is considered as the ideal medium material for the second generation of solidified high-level radioactive waste. Based on the review of the concept of synroc solidification and the classification of candidate mineral host, we mainly introduce the latest research progress in the rapid synthesis method of SYNROC, the nucleation mechanism, and the long-term stability evaluation, in the path that though the road is hindered and long, the line is approaching if striving forward. Finally, the existing weakness of SYNROC curing is pointed out, and the research direction and development trend that should be paid attention to in the future are proposed.